The sport-star name effect

Shane Warne took a wicket, and suddenly every second baby boy was named Shane. Cathy Freeman won gold, and every second baby girl was named Cathy. In Australia, sport isn't just a hobby — it's a naming manual.

The Shane effect is the classic one. Back in the 1990s, Shane Warne was the biggest cricketer in the country, and suddenly Shane was everywhere. Before Warne, Shane was a nice but unremarkable name. After Warne? It was a legend. Every second baby boy in the early 2000s was named Shane.

The Cathy effect is the female version. Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics, and suddenly Cathy was cool again. Before that, Cathy was your grandma's name. After that? It was a champion's name.

The funny thing is, the effect only lasts about 10 years. By the time the sport star retires, the name is already fading. So if you named your son Shane in 2000, he's now in his mid-20s and probably sick of hearing "how's that leg spin?" Sorry about that.